The local government of Davao City has expressed opposition to any plan to establish foreign military facilities within areas under its jurisdiction.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, April 14, the city government said it “does not welcome and will oppose any plan to build foreign military facilities within the jurisdiction of Davao City.”

The statement comes amid reports that the Pentagon is considering the construction of a fuel depot in the Davao region by 2028.

The proposed facility is reportedly intended to support U.S. military operations in the Western Pacific and serve as an alternative refueling hub for naval and aviation assets. The plan has also been previously welcomed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of broader defense cooperation with the U.S.

However, the Davao City government raised concerns over the project’s direct benefits to local residents, particularly amid ongoing global tensions affecting fuel and commodity prices.

“If such a plan does not help cushion the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, such as reducing the price of oil and commodities and alleviating the living conditions of the people, then we will not support it,” the city government said in its statement.

City officials emphasized that they will not support projects that do not clearly contribute to help ease economic pressures on residents or improve local conditions.